Aristotle’s and Theophrastus’ critique to the igneous conception of the eye
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3989/emerita.2012.06.1023Keywords:
Aristotle, Theophrastus, the Presocratics, Plato, eye, sight, physiologyAbstract
Aristotle in De Sensu and Theophrastus in De Sensibus underline the fact that most of those who devoted themselves to the study of the visual perception developed doctrines that tend to identify the capacity of vision with fire. Both philosophers reject such doctrines, and particularly the igneous conception of the eye on which they are based. Aristotle and Theophrastus analyze critically the doctrines of Alcmeon, Empedocle and Plato, and Aristotle claims the watery nature of the eye as well as a doctrine of the visual perception centred on the diaphanous character of the watery way.
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